CATS HEADCANONS

MY HEADCANONS

ABOUT CATS (1998)

What is Cats?

Cats is a sung-through musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber; regarded as the first megamusical, it premiered on May 11 1981 at the New London Theatre in the West End. In more than 40 years, the musical has created a cult following all around the globe and earned more than $3.5 billion dollars.

The plot

A common misconception is that Cats has no plot. Wrong!

Although the musical is not strongly storydriven, it still has its plot: once a year, the Jellicle cats meet for a ball, at the end of which their leader choses one of them who'll reach the Heavyside Layer and be reborn. The candidates, helped by the rest of the tribe, introduce themselves with songs; but two uninvited cats threaten to ruin the celebrations...

The characters

Cats is an ensemble show without a proper protagonist but with a large supporting cast; the 1998 filmed version of the show consisted of circa 30 performers.

During the years, fans of the show have created their own headcanons about the characters, their personality and their relationship to one another. Here are mine!

The kittens

Etcetera

Etcetera is the youngest member of the tribe, the feline equivalent of a 12 years old girl. Goofy, happy and overenergetic, she has a profound admiration for the Rum Tum Tugger.She's the youngest sister of George and Tumblebrutus; the trio is nurtured by Jennyanydots. Electra is her best friend in the world, but she goes along with pretty much everyone. In the close future, she and Pouncival will become queerplatonic partners. Etcetera has great acrobatic abilities, expecially on the trapeze, and sometimes trains with Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer.

The kittens

Jemima

Sweet, innocent, compassionate Jemima is Demeter and Macavity's daughter, although she does not know who her father is; the paternal figure in her life will become Munkunstrap, her mother's soon-to-be mate. Her aunt Bombalurina adores her and, when Demer and Munkunstrap will mate, so will her new uncle Rum Tum Tugger. Jemima is one of the calmest kittens and gets along with everyone. Initially not very interested in relationships, she will mate with George later in her life. Her age in human years is circa 13 years old.

The kittens

Pouncival

Pouncival is the youngest Jellicle tom, comparable to a 14 years old boy. Like his human peers he can be quite mischievous (as seen when Grizabella is on stage), but deep down he is a sweet kitten.; like all the young queens and toms, he's fascinated by the Rum Tum Tugger.

Pouncival has a crush on the tempestuous Electra and his best friend is Tumblebrutus. Initially annoyed by Etcetera, the two soon become partners in crime and will form a queerplatonic bond. His mother is Jellylorum, while his father is unknown.

The kittens

Electra

Etcetera's best friend, Electra, is the feline equivalent of a 15 years old teenage girl; argumentative and inquisitive, the tortoiseshell kitten is a bit too much for some, but her strong personaliity, encouraged by her foster mum Exotica and her aunt Cassandra, is admired and respected by her peers. She gets along very well with Munkunstrap, whom she admires a lot. Although not exempt from Rum Tum Tugger's charisma, Electra is not particurarly interested in toms yet and doesn't even notice Pouncival's evident crush on her. In the future, however, she and Tumblebrutus will mate. Like her aunt, Electra has magical abilities.

The kittens

Tumblebrutus

Tumblebrutus is George's younger brother and Etcetera's older one. Although he and Electra are equal in age, he's more childish than her -she scares him a bit, to be frank- and gets along better with younger kittens, expecially Pouncival; only later he and the tortoiseshell queen will get along better and mate. He and the other younger toms like to play around like their idol, the Rum Tum Tugger; but he is trustworthy and protective, expecially towards his siblings and Jennyanydots, who's raising them.

The kittens

The only white cat in the tribe, Victoria (comparable to a 16 years old human girl) is extremely elegant and arguably the most mature along the kittens. She is strongly attached to her older brother, Mistoffelees, maybe also because they don't have a parental figure (even though the older cats help them in everything they need). Victoria is too nice to fight with anyone, but enjoys particularly Jemima's company, viewing her almost like a little sister; both are extremely kind and are the first to welcome Grizabella back in the tribe. Her favourite playmate, beyond her brother, has always been Plato, and everybody was sure they'll end up together; they are the first among the kittens to mate

Victoria

The kittens

Plato

Asparagus' foster son, Plato is a quite shy and reserved cat, who prefers to avoid the spotlight; he's still playful and gets along easily with his peers, expecially Victoria; the two are equal in age and, to nobody's surprise, they mate during the Jellicle ball.

The kittens

The calico twins Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer are notorious in the tribe and among their humans for their nonstopping pranks and mischieves, for which they are never punished because no one knows which one of them is responsible. They drive the older cats crazy, expecially Munkustrap, but at the end of the day the duo deeply cares for their friends and for their "uncle", as they call Skimbleshanks, who found them on his train and raised them. They are expert acrobats and help little Etcetera in training -but Rum Tum Tugger explicitly forbids them including

Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer

her in their shenanigans. Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer, comparable in age to a 17 years old teenager, are each other's wingman (or woman): Mungojerrie's boyfriend, Mistoffelees, and Rumpleteazer's girlfriend, Tantomile, often complain that enjoying a date with one of them without the other twin showing up is practically impossible.

The kittens

George

17-years-old (in human years) George is Tumblebrutus and Etcetera's older brother, like them raised by Jennyanydots. He is responsible, but still a kitten and, as such, likes to have fun: Munkustrap trusts him with the role of the Rumpus Cat in their play during the Jellicle ball, but he'll come to regret it! George is not immune to Tugger's appeal, but at first he's not interested in mating: he and Jemima will mate later than their friends.

Quaxo/Mr Mistoffellees

The kittens

Quaxo/Mr Mistoffelees

Mistoffelees is Quaxo's stage name. This young tuxedo, comparable in age to a 18 years old, is Victoria's older brother and Mungojerrie's boyfriend. Among the cats with magical powers he's surely the one with the most striking ones, that well suit his flamboyant personality: he uses them to bring back Old Deuteronomy. He's extremely protective toward his sister and watches proudly as she dances in her first Jellicle ball. When he's not practicing his magic he enjoys hanging out with Coricopat and Tantomile or to help the chaotic twins in their pranks. Quaxo is widely appreciated by the ribe, expecially by the leader and his sons; he looks up to Cassandra, as she is an older magical cat. .

The kittens

Like Mistoffelees or George, Coricopat and Tantomie (about 19 years old in human years) teeter on the thresold between childhood and adult age; their mostly serious manners and their sometimes spooky ways may make them see older than their age, but they also own a more playful side as we can see during the Rum Tum Tugger's song (even they are not exempt from his charisma) or Skimbleshanks' one. Although their powers are less evident than in Mistoffelees, they are the most powerful among the magical cats, being able to read auras, sense danger and maybe see the immediate future (but nobody knows the actual extent of their abilities). Quiet, elegant and always dignified, the twins were brought into the tribe by Cassandra, who found them and helped them with their gifts; they deeply admire her and, even if neither of them talks about their past, most of the tribe thinks they come from bad experiences. They may not often play with the other kittens, but their peers love them nevertheless and accept their oddities; Quaxo understands them more than many others and the three hang out often, being lately joined by Electra. Despite their many differences, Tantomile and Rumpleteazer are in a close-knit relationship. and the calico cat often lightens up Tantomile.

Coricopat and Tantomile

The adults

Although not much older than the magical twins (we could compare him to a man in his early twenties), the Rum Tum Tugger resolutely places himself among the adult cats. His provocant manners, disapproved by the olders but idolized by the kittens, hide a caring nature that Tugger shows in moments of need, using his indisputable charisma to cheer the tribe up and help his brother Munkustrap leading them, like their father Old Deuteronomy has done for so long. He exaggerates hypersexual habits but he's tragically single, as his best friend Bombalurina often remarks; the two, sometimes mistaken for mates, spend a lot of time together, bantering or, after Munkunstrap and Demeter's mating, obscenely spoiling their niece Jemima. Rum Tum Tugger has also a soft spot for Etcetera and constantly keeps an eye on her, expecially when she is with Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazers. He deeply loves and respects his father and his older brother, whom he enjoys driving crazy,

Rum Tum Tugger

The adults

Bombalurina is Tugger's best friend and Demeter's younger sister, comparable to a 22 years old woman. Many think her and her pal, who shares her provocant manners, are a couple, but this queen is uninterested in toms and has found a well suited partner in Cassandra; she and Cassandra's other partner, Alonzo, get along pretty well, even if she sometimes teases him for trying to seduce her during the ball. Teasing, after all, is a key element of her personality; but the older members of the tribe think very highly of her: she helps Munkustrap, Demeter, Jennyanydots and Jellylorum look after the kittens and protect them from Macavity. She and Rum Tum Tugger adore their niece Jemima; Bombalurina is also very protective towars her sister, and Munkustrap and her are always ready to calm her and reassure her.

Bombalurina

The adults

Alonzo

Alonzo is Munkunstrap's second in command, always helping him in his role of protector. When he's not on duty, he can probably be found napping in the sun with his partner Cassandra and her other partner Bombalurina, a good friend of him that will always tease him for an attempted proposal. But at the end of the day Alonzo is still fairly young and likes to have fun: he too takes part in the chaotic party caused by Rum Tum Tugger. Bombalurina is not the only unrequited crush in his past: only his partner and partner-in-law know about his past attraction to his loyal friend Munkustrap.

The elegant Cassandra and her older sister Exotica joined the Jellicle cats when she barely a kitten anymore (now she is comparable to a woman in her mid twenties); they were warmly welcomed, but this queen had to face some backlash when her powers were noticed, because she was the first magical cat to join the tribe after Macavity's exile. Thanks to her sister's constant support and Old Deuteronomy's decision to give her a chance, however, she was able to show everyone that magic could still be used to do good and is now a fundamental member of the Jellicle; she and her partners are good friends with Munkustrap and help him protect the tribe. Although her powers are not particularly strong, she's very perceptive to other cats' magic: she found the magic twins, brought them into the tribe and helped them with their abilities, like she later did with Quaxo. She's also the first to notice the peculiar abilities of her beloved niece Electra and to introduce her to the other three; all of them look up to her with deep admiration. her dignified manners sometimes make way for her most playful side- yes, even she plays along with Tugger's over-the-top show!

The adults

Cassandra

The adults

Cassandra's older sister and Electra's foster mom, Exotica is one of the most reseved members of the Jelicle tribe and mostly prefers to keep to herself. She however deeply cares for her family: she supported her sister when her powers were noticed by the rest of the tribe and is a loving mother for Electra, encouraging her to always ask questions and contest what's not right; she is extremely proud of every success and talents of her beloved ones . Exotica and her sister's partners have a companionable relationship and Old Deuteronomy has a high opinion af her, considering her one of the most rational and wise cats in the tribe. She's equal in age to a woman in her late twenties.

Exotica

The adults

The feline equivalent of a woman in her early thirties, Demeter is by far the most down to earth, rational, pragmatical adult cat in the tribe,

Demeter

maybe because of her past experiences. When she was younger, Demeter mated with Macavity and, pregnant with Jemima, was able to run away from the Mistery cat only after he had scarred her for life. At the smallest sign of danger, infact, Demeter panics, thinking Macavity is back; Her sister Bombalurina and Munkustrap are always ready to reassure her. She and this tom tiptoe around each other, because she is now cautious in beginning a new relationship, but in the close future they will mate

and Munkustrap will step in as Jemima's father. Her emotional scars don't stop her from being a fierce protector of the tribe and of the kittens: when she recognises Macavity under his disguise, she doesn't hesitate to attack him. Demeter deeply loves her daughter and tries to shelter her from everything bad: she doesn't know yet when or how she will reveal her kitten her father's identity. She's strongly attached to her sister and, of course, to Munkustrap, whereas she thinks Tugger is a bit too over the top (but his love for her daughter guarantees him a few extra points).

Old Deuteronomy's oldest son is already considered his successor: although the role of leader is not hereditary, infact, Munkustrap's strong sense of responsibility and his caring nature make him perfect for the task. His father and the other elders have him in high esteem, his peers enjoy his company and help him protect the tribe, the kittens look up to him, who's also the one to explain them the tribe's traditions and believes during their first Jellicle Ball. Sometimes his task can be quite demanding and he's often stressed and driven crazy, but Munkustrap loves it deeply. He admires and respects his father and always looks after his flamboyant younger brother, because the two share a deep bond. He has feelings for Demeter but the two are not mate yet: they'll finally get together, to the tribe's immense relief (about time!), and he'll become a father for Jemima. This caring tom, comparable to a man in his mid thirties, is ready to fight and risk his life to protect the tribe, always supported by his loyal second and best friend Alonzo.

The adults

Munkustrap

The elders

Asparagus

Asparagus is middle aged cat, Jennyanydots' younger brother and Plato's foster father. His manners may make him seem snobbish and disapproving, but he's an active member of the community and enjoys the fun of the Jellicle ball.

Jellylorum is th tribe's main nurse and caregiver; she takes care of Gus, who she hosts when he's visiting the tribe (her son Pouncival calls him grandfather) and, when a stray kitten if brought into the tribe, she helps them in everything they need, even welcoming them in her den if no one else does and they don't want/can't live by themselves. This caring nature, however, does not stop her from being quite strict, expecially when the kittens' safety is at risk: the youngest memebers of the tribe know that the most dangerous games should be played far away from Pouncival's mom! Jellylorum has a great relationship with her son, who knows she'll always be there to guide and comfort him -after a good scolding, if necessary- and Gus loves her for the care she has of him. She's often seen with Skimbleshanks and Jennyanydots, as they've been friends since they were kittens; but she also likes the company of Demeter and Bombalurina.

The elders

Jellylorum

The elders

Skimbleshanks

The railway cat is one of the most cheerful members of the Jellicle tribe and a kittens' favourite, always ready to tell them the adventures he had during his trips. When he found two tiny calico kittens abandoned on his train, he brought them into the tribe and raised them: "Uncle Shanks", as Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer call him, is not as strict as others may want him to be towards his kittens' mischieves. His cheerful attitude hides a protective side that surfaces every time the tribe and expecially the kittens are in danger. Since he was very young, Skimbleshanks has been friends with Jennyanydots and Jellylorum, but he gets along with pretty much everyone.

The elders

Jennyanydots

Jennyanydots' human family considers her an extremely lazy cat: but they don't know that, away from their sight, she devotes herself to all kinds of activities. When she's not busy with mices and cockroaches, this tabby cat looks after the Jellicle kittens: in particular, she is raising George, Tumblebrutus and Etcetera, but her maternal manners make her a reference point for all the younglings, towards who she's extremely protective. Her best friends have always been Jellylorum and Skimbleshanks, but she gets along with everybody in the tribe; Asparagus is her (way more reserved) younger brother.

The elders

Bustopher Jones

Bustopher Jones is a sturdy and dignified tuxedo cat; he doesn't spend as much time in the junkyard as the other Jellicles, but he's still welcomed as an important member of the tribe. Though he's not very good with kittens, they still like to hang around him, also because when the food runs low he doesn't esitate to bring some of his supply in order to feed everyone.

The elders

Gus the theatre cat is the oldest member of the tribe besides Old Deuteronomy; he spends most of his time in the theatre were he shined as a brilliant actor during his youth. When he's in the junkyard Jellylorum takes care of him and hosts him in his den; he's therefore very attached to her and to her son Pouncival, who calls him grandfather. The kitten and his friends love to listen to him telling stories of his youth and sometimes pretend to be the characters of the plays he performed. Although everyone in the tribe loves and respects him, Gus is often melanchonic: his days of glory are well behind him and his friends are long gone.

Gus

The elders

Old Deuteronomy

Old Deuteronomy is the beloved leader of the Jellicle tribe; he "has lived many lives in succession" and it's impossible to precisely determinate his age. He spends a lot of time laying in the sun in his human's garden, but he never neglects his tribe and he's always there for them in case of need. Despite his age, he participates as much as he can to the fun of the Jellicle Ball. He's the father of Munkustrap and Rum Tum Tugger: he deeply loves them and he's proud of them: he knows that, when his moment will come, they'll lead the tribe with love, wisdom and bravery.

The outcasts

Macavity is a mistery cat: although everyone knows when he's behind a crime, no one is ever able to prove it and he proceeds to build his criminal empire. Once a Jellicle cat and Munkustrap's close friend, he soon began to show his devious nature and was exiled (according to the Jellicles) or ran away (according to him). Soon after, however, he got back in contact with a young, gullible, naive queen who'd always been fascinated by him: without telling anybody, Demeter left the tribe to join him and found herself involved with a toxic relationship and the feline world of crime. She was able to run away without letting Macavity know of her pregnancy, and so to this day he doesn't know Jemima is his daughter. He's often trying to harm the Jellicle tribe, but the protectors, and expecially his former friend Munkustrap, are always ready to stop him and warn th kittens about him.

Macavity

The outcasts

Grizabella

Grizabella's past and the reason behind the Jellicles' hatred towards her are a mistery for the kittens: no one will tell them what happen, and her name his always met with sights and a scolding. Demeter's reactions during the Jellicle ball inspire the idea that the two were once friends, maybe during Demter's life with Macavity. Grizabella, once the Glamour cat, is desperate to reunite with the tribe and will reach her goal at the end of the ball, becoming that year's Jellicle choice. Despite her desperation, Grizabella always tries to look dignified.